HOW WE GOT OVER (FOR MY SISTERS: SULA, NORMA AND JOYCE)

We got over

because of the childless women

whko mothered and fathered us---

Bronzed, charcoal hued steel pulse

aunts who taught us, "blacker the berry,

the sweeter the juice."

That our butts would "roke like orka..."

if we failed tgo fight back;

That we were "created in the image

of God---whko don't like ugly

and never did create none;"

That we should remember,

"Papa called you 'Black Pattie'

long before Terry wrote "Tar Baby"---

That,way back then---way back yonder,

we were and still are:

beautifully black and beautiful.

Indeed, we got over

because of those sable soul sisters

scaffolding the bridges we crossed over on:

Teaching us to love and praise our Mother

who birth us here.